I often get the feedback from triathlete that they pick the wrong set of feet to follow...or were stock next to a aggressive swimmer, box in, in a bad position etc. My comments is always, why didnt you just move somewhere else. And after years of working with athletes in the lake, it s obvious that many don't know there ''options'' when comes time to move around in a group.

-This is a skill/trick that requires a certain amount of ability/ comfort in the water some better targeted for intermediate to advance swimmers. -practice, practice, practice -if done properly...the other swimmer will be UNAWARE of what happen... it won't sink or disturb him. -it s fun!!!! -open water is a Art on it s own...... get good at it...there is a lot of speed to be gain. -yes, i m white!, i got funny googles, and the lake is shallow because i m scare to swim in the deep hand! -thanks to my wife for playing the ''other swimmers'' no critique of her swimming allowed!

Your reaction is normal and proper. I had the same response from the 20-25 swimmers in my squad when i announce that we would practice such tactic in the lake. Now, my squad is compose of every day age group/beginner, advance, ironman pro champion/ podium finishers and division 1 -2 swimmers.

when done properly, all of them can master this and the ''victim'' of this trick will be unaware of what happen, even less interested or wanting to retaliate by kicking someone. I recommend to use such strategy if you end up in a position stock between two swimmers...or next to a aggressive swimmers and needing to get ''out of there''

when done right... you will never know what happen...and only feel a light pressure on your butt/side. Not enough to sink you. But don't take my word, learn in and see it for yourself! Jonathan Caron

I've done that move countless times, often receiving the ball on the roll and firing a shot on goal - not always successful on the shot. Knowing how to move in and among other swimmers is an important skill.

20 years ago in high school we called this "corkscrew" stoke. Really fun is swimming a 4x50y sprint relay of this. It's a little tricky timing your strokes coming into the wall. Best to switch the direction of rotation on the return 25. Even harder was getting out of the water within about 35-40 seconds before the next guys finished his 50.

i dont think a strong kick you be a issue, there is very little to no contact with the legs. all the contract happen at the butt and hips but it s very minimal. That s also why i recommend back to backyou have some kind of ``protection``

I think the "when done properly" bit is glossed over here. Remember how many triathletes wait until race day to practice their bike mounts/dismounts? Remember the carnage that results. Now we've got the same thing for the discipline in which you can drown.